Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 4, 2011
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-04/india/30474072_1_omar-abdullah-jammu-and-kashmir-border-talks
Expressing concern over China's involvement
in the Kashmir region, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has
said India should show "some spine" while dealing with that country.
"I wish India shows some spine while
dealing with China," he said.
"At a recent event, the government stood
up and said that they will not postpone Dalai Lama's function in Delhi just
because the Chinese were coming there to hold border talks. I wish this is
a position we take more often.
"China seems to have no problem in calling
Kashmir a disputed region. But we are expected to follow a 'One China' policy
and not call into question Taiwan's status, or not call into question Tibet's
status," Omar observed here on Saturday night while speaking at 'Express
Adda', the event which is part of a series of conversations with newsmakers,
hosted by the Indian Express Group.
"Why is it that China wants us to follow
'One China' policy for them but it won't follow a 'One India' policy for India,"
he asked.
"Why should they call into question
Arunachal Pradesh's status? Why should they call into question parts of Jammu
and Kashmir. They are illegal occupants of parts of my state. They need to
accept that," he stated.
"I think that for far too long we have
been apologetic, both in terms of our relationship with Pakistan and also
China which we don't need to be. I think we should deal with China on an equal
footing. If they call into question parts of our sovereignty, we have every
right to call into question parts of their sovereignty," he asserted.
His statement was greeted with thunderous
applause from the gathering.
Omar also spoke of the return of peace to
the Valley, doubling of the number of tourists, problems in areas like power
and infrastructure.
To a query, he said his government was willing
to render all possible help to make Kashmir a favoured destination for Bollywood
once again.
